When in Rome

If you visit Rome, you are confronted with ruins at every turn.  These great piles of stone, which served as quarries to later generations, are the visible presence of the Roman Empire.  It would be difficult to overstate the importance, the influence of Rome and its empire on the western world.  Today, it is the crowded and bustling capital of Italy, containing the Vatican within its boundaries.  Grand enough, and filled with urban wonders; but once it was the capital of an empire that stretched from Britain to Persia, from Germany to Egypt, that reigned over 25% of humanity.

The empire lasted in its earlier form for four centuries, and in its later, eastern (Byzantine) form for another thousand years.  Its influence is profound even to our day.  We copy its architecture, while still enjoying the Pantheon and the Colosseum. Many of the names of European nations, cities and regions derive from what the Romans called them.  Even the word Europe is after Europa, a Roman goddess.  And Roman law is foundational to most western legal traditions and customs. 

Up through the early 20^th century, to be considered an educated person one had to learn Latin, the everyday tongue of imperial Rome.  Cicero was required reading, and Caesar’s Commentaries; so was the Greek epic, the Iliad - as it was for a Roman boy or girl of the 2nd century.  Of course, the Romans adopted much from ancient Athens and thus preserved and promoted the achievements of the Greek golden age.

For Roman Catholics, Rome is the center of religious tradition and Church organization.  The Vatican is an independent state surrounded by the city of Rome, with Pope Francis at its head. The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, and St. Peter’s basilica is the largest Christian religious building on earth.  

Italy is, no surprise, nearly 100% Roman Catholic.  But Italy has been a unified nation for only 150 years; Rome, the “Eternal City” is nearly 3000 years old, and still exerts a profound influence on our culture and imagination.